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Legislative Bulletin

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Howdy folks,??

Welcome to the National Immigration Forum's weekly bulletin! Every Friday, our policy team rounds up key developments around immigration policy in Washington and across the country. The bulletin includes items on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as some coverage at the state and local levels.???

In addition to this week's bulletin, we invite you to join us for a special discussion on the start of the 119th Congress, the Trump administration, and the implications for achieving meaningful, bipartisan immigration reform. This live event will take place on Facebook on Wednesday, January 22nd at 2:15 PM ET [link removed]'s%20bulletin,%20we%20invite%20you%20to%20join%20us%20for%20a%20special%20discussion%20on%20the%20start%20of%20the%20119th%20congress,%20the%20trump%20administration,%20and%20the%20implications%20for%20achieving%20meaningful,%20bipartisan%20immigration%20reform.%20this%20live%20event%20will%20take%20place%20on%20facebook%20on%20wednesday,%20january%2022nd%20at%202:15%20pm%20et.%20our%20distinguished%20speakers%20include:%20Jennie%20Murray,%20President%20&%20CEO%20of%20the%20National%20Immigration%20Forum%20Rev.%20Dr.%20Gabriel%20Salguero,%20President%20of%20the%20National%20Latino%20Evangelical%20Coalition%20and%20Pastor%20at%20the%20Gathering%20Place%20Laurence%20Benenson,%20Vice%20President%20of%20Policy%20&%20Advocacy%20at%20the%20National%20Immigration%20Forum%20Stewart%20Verdery,%20Founder%20of%20Monument%20Advocacy%20and%20Leader%20of%20the%20Council%20on%20National%20Security%20and%20Immigration%20We%20hope%20you%20can%20join%20us%20for%20this%20important%20conversation%E2%80%94no%20registration%20is%20required!/. Our distinguished speakers include:??

* Jennie Murray, President & CEO of the National Immigration Forum??

* Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero, President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition and Pastor at the Gathering Place??

* Laurence Benenson, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy at the National Immigration Forum??

* Stewart Verdery, Founder of Monument Advocacy and Leader of the Council on National Security and Immigration??

We hope you can join us for this important conversation-no registration is required!??

You can find the online version of the bulletin here:??[link removed] [link removed].

Warmly,

Nicci

**LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN - Friday, January 17, 2025**DEVELOPMENTS IN IMMIGRATION POLICY THIS WEEK # Developments-In-Immigration-Policy-This-Week

BILLS INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERED #bills-introduced-and-considered

LEGISLATIVE FLOOR CALENDAR #legislative-floor-calendar

UPCOMING HEARINGS AND MARKUPS #upcoming-hearings-and-markups

GOVERNMENT REPORTS #government-reports

SPOTLIGHT ON NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM RESOURCES #spotlight-on-national-immigration-forum-resources

**DEVELOPMENTS IN IMMIGRATION POLICY THIS WEEK**Immigration policy is a dynamic field subject to constant change. Here, we summarize some of the most important recent developments in immigration policy on the federal, legal, state, and local levels.??

Federal??

Trump Transition Team Plans Immediate Immigration Actions for After Inauguration??

On Monday, January 20, 2025, President Trump is expected to take immediate and sweeping action to overhaul U.S. immigration policy, fulfilling promises made during his campaign. The Trump transition team has outlined a series of executive orders [link removed] and administrative measures aimed at ramping up enforcement, restricting asylum access, and dismantling Biden-era policies. These actions are expected to set the tone [link removed] for a second Trump administration focused on strict immigration controls. Central to these plans is the prioritization of mass deportation [link removed] efforts targeting individuals with final deportation orders and criminal records, while broadening enforcement to include other undocumented individuals. High-profile immigration raids [link removed] and visible enforcement actions are anticipated as part of what Trump has described as "the largest domestic deportation operation in American history" [link removed].??

Among the first anticipated moves is the reinstatement of Title 42 [link removed] the Trump??administration may attempt to??justify by citing unfounded public health concerns [link removed] despite the pandemic's official end. Additionally, Trump plans to declare illegal immigration a national emergency [link removed], enabling him to redirect military resources [link removed] toward border wall construction, detention expansion [link removed], and enforcement operations. The transition team has also signaled plans to revoke [link removed] Biden-era humanitarian parole programs for migrants from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Protections under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) [link removed] and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) [link removed] may also be rescinded or curtailed. Further restrictions on asylum are expected with the reimplementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) [link removed]., requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while their claims are processed. Trump has also reiterated his intent to end birthright citizenship [link removed] through an executive order-a move that would face legal challenges but could create significant barriers for affected individuals immediately.??

These anticipated actions reflect an intensification of policies from Trump's first term, prioritizing enforcement over legal pathways or humanitarian protections. While these measures align with campaign promises, they are likely to face significant logistical challenges, legal battles, and widespread harm to immigrant communities across the U.S., creating an urgent need for oversight and advocacy.??

Republican Majorities Advance Immigration Restrictions in House and Senate??

Republican majorities in the House and Senate are advancing a series of immigration restriction measures, signaling a hardline enforcement approach under the incoming Trump administration. Central to these efforts is the Laken Riley Act [link removed], which mandates detention for undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes, including theft and burglary. The Senate advanced the bill with a 61-35 [link removed] cloture vote on Friday, January 16th, after it passed [link removed] the House last week with bipartisan support. Additionally, on Thursday, January 16th, the House passed the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act [link removed], which mandates deportation for undocumented individuals convicted of domestic violence or sex crimes. ??

Senate Republicans have introduced amendments to expand the scope of the Laken Riley Act, including an amendment by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) that mirror's her previously introduced bill, "Sarah's Law". [link removed] Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) proposed [link removed] increasing detention capacity and penalizing sanctuary cities, while Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) added [link removed] language making "assault on a law enforcement officer" a deportable offense. Critics warn that these measures' broad detention requirements could overwhelm [link removed] ICE resources and undermine [link removed] due process protections by targeting nonviolent offender. By the time the Senate voted on cloture for the Laken Riley Act on Friday, January 17, 2025, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) had successfully secured a vote on his amendment [link removed] to strip out provisions allowing state attorneys general to challenge federal immigration policies. Coons garnered support from most Senate Democrats for the amendment, but Republicans remained unified and defeated it, ensuring the bill advanced without changes.??

Other Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), had sought to soften [link removed] the bill's impact through amendments exempting DACA recipients from detention and providing pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders through the Dream and Promise Act [link removed]. While some Democrats have supported [link removed] the latest Republican push on immigration -61 House Democrats voted [link removed] for the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act-critics argue that these bills prioritize punitive enforcement over comprehensive immigration reform. Concerned observers warn [link removed] that implementing the Laken Riley Act could cost $83 billion over three years and lead to prolonged detention without bond hearings, disproportionately harming immigrant communities. As these bills move closer to becoming law, their financial and human costs remain central points of debate.??

Biden Administration Extends TPS for Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan??

On January 10th, in perhaps a final immigration action before leaving office, the Biden administration??announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) [link removed] for nearly 1 million [link removed] immigrants from Venezuela [link removed], El Salvador [link removed], Ukraine [link removed], and Sudan [link removed]. This extension allows eligible individuals to remain in the U.S. with deportation protection and work authorization through fall 2026. The move provides [link removed] critical relief for 607,000 Venezuelans, 232,000 Salvadorans, 103,700 Ukrainians, and 1,900 Sudanese nationals amid ongoing crises in their home countries.??

The extensions come ahead of the original expiration dates-March 2025 for El Salvador and April 2025 for the other three countries-marking a proactive effort to safeguard these populations. TPS designations were extended due to conditions such as political instability in Venezuela, armed conflict in Ukraine and Sudan, and environmental challenges in El Salvador. Eligible individuals must meet residency requirements and pass security screenings to re-register. While this action delays [link removed] potential efforts by the incoming Trump administration to terminate [link removed] TPS for these groups, other designations remain at risk. TPS for South Sudan, Honduras, and Nicaragua is set to expire [link removed] later in 2025. Thus, such extensions offer temporary relief but underscore the uncertainty many immigrants face under shifting policies.??

December Refugee Numbers Show Significant Increase Over First Two Months of FY2025??

The U.S. resettled 12,517 refugees [link removed] in December 2024, marking a notable increase compared to 7,162 in November and 7,629 in October. In total, 27,308 refugees were resettled during the first three months of FY2025. If December's pace continues into January, the U.S. could resettle approximately 39,825 refugees by the end of the fiscal year's first four months. These numbers reflect a significant rebound in refugee admissions following years of rebuilding [link removed] the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) infrastructure after historic lows during the Trump administration and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ??

Regionally, Africa accounted for the highest number of arrivals in December with 3,989 refugees, followed closely by the Near East/South Asia region with 3,896 arrivals. Latin America and the Caribbean also saw substantial numbers, with 2,845 refugees resettled. This increase aligns with the Biden administration's efforts to meet its FY2025 refugee ceiling [link removed] of 125,000 admissions while addressing global displacement crises. As global displacement needs continue to rise-driven by conflict, climate change,??economic instability, and other innumerable factors-these resettlement efforts underscore the importance of sustaining U.S. leadership [link removed] in providing refuge to those fleeing persecution and violence.??

State & Local??

States Governors to Implement Trump's Immigration Agenda??

State governors are taking proactive steps to align their policies with the incoming Trump administration's hardline immigration agenda, signaling a shift toward stricter enforcement at the state level. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has called [link removed] a special legislative session beginning January 27th ??to pass sweeping immigration laws that mirror Trump's expected executive orders. DeSantis plans [link removed] to expand mandatory participation in the federal 287(g) program, which deputizes local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, and repeal in-state tuition for undocumented students. He has also signaled his intent to suspend sheriffs or officials who refuse to comply with these measures. DeSantis has framed [link removed] these actions as essential to supporting Trump's policies, and called [link removed] on X for "the legislature to appropriate funding for detention, relocation, transportation infrastructure, local law enforcement support, and everything else needed for Florida to carry out" Trump's proposed mass deportation [link removed] efforts.??

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has launched [link removed] a billboard campaign in Mexico and Central America warning migrants about the consequences of crossing the border illegally, including potential jail time and risks to their families. This latest??initiative is part of a broader strategy, Operation Lone Star [link removed], that includes building sections of border wall, deploying concertina wire, and arresting migrants on criminal trespassing charges. Abbott's efforts build on his controversial migrant busing program [link removed], which transported over 119,000 migrants to northern cities and reshaped immigration politics by keeping border security at the forefront of national debate during the 2024 election cycle.??

These actions reflect a growing trend among Republican-led states to take aggressive steps on immigration enforcement ahead of Trump's inauguration. Critics warn that such measures risk exacerbating tensions with immigrant communities and straining local resources. However, proponents argue they are necessary to address longstanding concerns about border security and illegal immigration. As these state-level efforts unfold, they will likely play a key role in shaping the broader implementation of Trump's immigration agenda nationwide.??

**BILLS INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERED**

H.R. 29 [link removed]??

Laken Riley Act??

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain undocumented immigrants who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.??

Sponsored by Representative Mike Collins (R-Georgia) (54 [link removed] cosponsors - 53 Republicans, 1 Democrat)??

01/03/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Mike Collins??

01/03/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

01/07/2024 Passed the House with a 264-159 [link removed] vote??

01/17/2024 Received 61 votes for cloture in the Senate??

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H.R. 30 [link removed]??

Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act??

Sponsored by Representative Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) (18 [link removed] cosponsors - 18 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/03/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Nancy Mace??

01/03/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

01/16/2025 Passed the House after a 274-145 vote [link removed]??

H.R. 218 [link removed]??

To authorize State enforcement of immigration laws??

Sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona) (2 [link removed] cosponsors - 2 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/07/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Biggs??

01/07/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

H.R. 245 [link removed]??

To require any applicant for a Federal grant to submit a certification that such applicant is not in violation of section 274(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act??

Sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina) (4 [link removed] cosponsors - 4 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/09/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Foxx??

01/09/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

H.R. 251 [link removed]??

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make mandatory and permanent requirements relating to use of an electronic employment eligibility verification system??

Sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-California) (1 [link removed] cosponsor - 1 Republican, 0 Democrats)??

01/09/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Calvert??

01/09/2025 Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, and the Judiciary??

H.R. 259 [link removed]??

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit certain advertising with respect to the Immigration Detention Ombudsman??

Sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona) (2 [link removed] cosponsors - 2 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/09/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Biggs??

01/09/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Judiciary??

H.R. 263 [link removed]??

To prohibit the intentional hindering of immigration, border, and customs controls??

Sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Arizona) (3 [link removed] cosponsors - 3 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/09/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Ciscomani ??

01/09/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

H.R. 355 [link removed]??

To remove aliens who fail to comply with a release order, to enroll all aliens on the nondetained docket of an immigration court in the Alternatives to Detention program with continuous GPS monitoring??

Sponsored by Rep. Try Nehls (R-Texas) (2 [link removed] cosponsors - 2 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/13/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Nehls??

01/13/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

H.R. 419 [link removed]??

To amend section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure that efforts to engage in espionage or technology transfer are considered in visa issuance??

Sponsored by Rep. Ben Cline (R-Virginia) (3 [link removed] cosponsors - 3 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/15/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Cline??

01/15/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

H.R. 449 [link removed]??

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain naturalization requirements for United States nationals??

Sponsored by Delegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) (0 [link removed] cosponsors)??

01/15/2025 Introduced in the House by Delegate Radewagen ??

01/15/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary??

S. 50 [link removed]??

A bill to prohibit the intentional hindering of immigration, border, and customs controls??

Sponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) (3 [link removed] cosponsors - 3 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/09/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ernst??

01/09/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary??

S. 52 [link removed]??

A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to require a DNA test to determine the familial relationship between an alien and an accompanying minor??

Sponsored by Senator Marsh Blackburn (R-Tennessee) (10 [link removed] cosponsors - 10 Republicans, 0 Democrats)??

01/09/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Blackburn??

01/09/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary??

S. 84 [link removed]??

A bill to require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take into custody certain aliens who have been charged in the United States with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person??

Sponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) (31 [link removed] cosponsors - 30 Republicans, 1 Democrat)??

01/14/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ernst??

01/14/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary??

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**LEGISLATIVE FLOOR CALENDAR**The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives will be in session from Tuesday, January 21st, through Friday, January 24th. ??

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**UPCOMING HEARINGS AND MARKUPS**

Here, we round up congressional hearings and markups happening in the field or in Washington.??

Hearing to examine the nomination of Elise M. Stefanik, of New York, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations [link removed]??
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**Date:** Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 10:00 am ET (Senate Committee on Foreign Relations)??

Location: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.??

Witness

**:** Elise Stefanik??

Hearing: "Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America" [link removed]??

Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 10:00 am ET (House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement)??

**Location:** TBA??

**Witnesses:** TBA??

**GOVERNMENT REPORTS**

Reports by bodies such as the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General provide invaluable information on immigration policy and practice. Here, we give brief summaries of new immigration-related reports, with links to the resources themselves in case you want to learn more.??

There were no immigration-related government reports the week of Monday, January 13th , 2025.??

**SPOTLIGHT ON NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM RESOURCES**????

The Forum is constantly publishing new policy-focused resources that engage with some of the most topical issues around immigration today. Here are a few that are particularly relevant this week:??

Trump's First 100 Days: Potential Immigration Actions [link removed]?? ??

Trump's second-term immigration agenda promises sweeping changes, including mass deportations, stricter asylum restrictions, and the rollback of protections for millions. The Forum's latest policy resource delves into the administration's ambitious first 100-day plans and their profound legal, social, and economic implications.??

Mass???Deportation???in the U.S.: Explainer [link removed]??

Going far beyond???current policies???prioritizing the identification and removal of those with criminal records and/or public safety threats, a sweeping large-scale removal operation would require an enormous mobilization of resources and the execution of wide-ranging enforcement actions across the country, including???mass???raids???and sprawling???detention camps.??

Q&A: Birthright Citizenship [link removed]??

Proposals to narrow birthright citizenship fly in the face of more than 125 years of common practice going back to the judicial interpretation of the 14th Amendment - and beyond that to the nation's founding.??

* * *

*This Bulletin is not intended to be comprehensive. Please contact Nicci Mattey, Senior Policy & Advocacy Associate at the National Immigration Forum, with comments and suggestions of additional items to be included. Nicci can be reached at [email protected]. Thank you.

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